By signing Memorandum of Understanding, Slovak MOD and Cypriot MOD acknowledge their common interest in intensifying defence engagement

Today (29 July 2021), Defence Minister Jaroslav Naď departed for an official visit to the Republic of Cyprus. During his visit to the Cypriot Ministry of Defence, Minister Naď met with Minister of Defence of the Republic of Cyprus Charalambos Petrides for talks on current issues of defence and security, as well as communicating the SVK MOD's priorities and modernisation projects. The intent to intensify the defence engagement between the countries was acknowledged by both defence ministers as they signed the Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation in the Field of Defence.

Speaking after the signing ceremony, Defence Minister Jaroslav Naď said: “It gives me a real pleasure to announce, just a few hours from my arrival to your country, one of the first results of my official visit to Cyprus. Today, Minister of Defence of the Republic of Cyprus Charalambos Petrides and I have signed the Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Defence of the Slovak Republic and the Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Cyprus on Cooperation in the Field of Defence.“ He made it clear that Slovakia has so far signed only a few such MOUs, which points to the significance the Slovak Republic attaches to the bilateral ties with the Republic of Cyprus.

Minister of Defence of the Republic of Cyprus Charalambos Petrides said: “I had the opportunity to express our deep appreciation for Slovakia’s invaluable contribution to UNFICYP. An important contribution to peace and stability that is nowadays more important than ever.” He underscored the importance of the signed MOU as a milestone that will enable and create opportunities and possibilities for further cooperation between the Armed Forces.

The goal of the Memorandum of Understanding between the Slovak MOD and the Cypriot MOD is to set the main principles for the delivery of mutual collaboration on defence and security and to drive forward possible areas of cooperation such as joint training and exercises, military technical activities, armaments, and military medicine.

Later today, Minister Naď met with Force Commander Maj Gen Ingrid Gjerde at UNFICYP HQ in Nicosia. Maj Gen Ingrid Gjerde thanked for the SVK contribution to the Mission and commended Slovakia for assuming full responsibility for Sector 4 of UNFICYP as one Troop Contributing Country (TCC) in 2018. Among the issues on the agenda for today’s discussion were the pandemic's impact on the mission and the delivery of assigned tasks. Currently, 238 SVK military personnel are serving with UNFICYP in Cyprus, as Slovakia marks the 20th anniversary of SVK involvement in UNFICYP this year.

As part of his official programme in Nicosia, Defence Minister Jaroslav Naď also paid a visit to the SVK UNFICYP peacekeepers – military engineers and policemen who operate out of Camp Tatry. The head of the MOD thanked them for holding themselves to high standards of professionalism.